Watershed Moment

Call it a watershed, a show of force, a pivot. Nov. 30 was a historic day in the entwined histories of the near-twin cities of North Miami and North Miami Beach.

With the swearing-in of political newcomer and ex-North Miami city employee Daniela Jean, the North Miami Beach City Commission is now majority Haitian American.

Jean, 34, won the Nov. 17 runoff over retired schoolteacher Margie Love by a 59-40 margin for the at-large position, with a voter turnout of 11.45%

The vote and representation is particularly striking, because North Miami Beach’s Haitian American representation far exceeds its numbers. People of Haitian descent account for between 18-23% of this polyglot city’s total population of 47,000. A Haitian American 3-2 council, elected by district, has governed North Miami since 2009. Roughly a third of its 65,000 residents are of Haitian descent.

What does this mean and what does it portend? The answers offer a potent mix of inspiration, opportunities and warnings.

Both cities are at crossroads for the coming decade, facing big decisions and challenges with massive developments, mass transit, affordable housing and recovery from the current pandemic recession.

North Miami Beach is launching the decade after a bitter election, as North Miami prepares for its own contentious council race on May 11.

If North Miami Beach plays it smart with sound general fund reserves of $29 million, it will not mimic the recent example of North Miami, which squandered the recovery from the last recession over the past six years, with deficit spending and mismanagement leaving it with reserves at zero and a deficit of $8 million. More than 240 employees have lost their jobs, and more suffering is certain.

While North Miami Beach is more prosperous, its commission has long been riven with conflict and mutual animus. Ever-louder calls to civility and unity get drowned out by operatic politics.

To wit: Just before returning incumbent Commissioner Michael Joseph rose for his Nov. 30 swearing-in and speech, 11-year Commissioner Barbara Kramer conspicuously walked out of the room.

At the new commission’s first full meeting on Dec. 15, Joseph sponsored a first reading of an ordinance for the city to pay to defend “frivolous, malicious or groundless” claims against commissioners, which the Haitian American majority backed.

The move appears to be aimed at VotersOpinion.com founder and former North Miami Beach activist Stephanie Kienzle, who enjoys giving public officials heartburn in her blog – she calls Daniela Jean “Michael Joseph’s puppet,” for instance – and has filed ethics complaints against elected officials, including Joseph.

Said Mayor Anthony DeFillipo of Joseph’s ordinance: “This is truly appalling and we never should have done this. This is a friggin’ joke. I wish I could use another word.”

So, civility is not off to a good start. Nor is using taxpayer money to potentially settle scores. South Florida is a hot political kitchen, and nasty blogs and public comment are part of the game.

Still, Haitian American political organization is a testament to persistence and resilience to a get-out-the-vote ground game targeting Haitian American voters, and increasing political sophistication. And it’s no longer just about sponsored Creole radio. For the first time, the National Haitian American Elected Officials Network (NHAEON) has added muscle with a newly formed political action committee, the NHAEON Progressive PAC, whose members include many American-born professional folks under age 45.

Joseph, an attorney, has cultivated strong ties to the Miami-Dade Democratic Party and the municipal employees’ union. He was sworn in Nov. 30 via Zoom by no less than new Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, who said this was her first swearing-in.

While NHAEON is a national organization, it helps that its national chairman this year is North Miami District 4 Councilman Alix Desulme; its secretary is elected North Miami City Clerk Vanessa Joseph. Both were among the civic worthies present to celebrate at the swearings-in of Jean and returning North Miami Beach Commission incumbents McKenzie Fleurimond and Joseph. North Miami Mayor Philippe Bien-Aime, Councilwoman Mary Estimé-Irvin and former Mayor Andre Pierre were also on hand.

That makes a statement. Fleurimond, raised in North Miami Beach, was quick to strike an inclusive note after opening his remarks in Haitian Creole as a salute to his elders, as North Miami is one of South Florida’s most varied communities.

Said Fleurimond: “This is one of most diverse commissions to serve one of the most eclectic, colorful, diverse communities in NMB history – majority female, majority Haitian, our mayor of Cuban and Italian heritage. Two of my colleagues are Jewish. Our community is one of inclusion. Our city is a kaleidoscope of cultures, backgrounds, languages, cuisines and experiences … not as cause to divide us, but as an opportunity to unite and rebuild.”

Both North Miami and North Miami Beach are fortunate in their location equidistant between Miami International and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International airports and two major seaports, with easy highway and beach access. Comparing financially strapped North Miami’s prospects to Opa-locka’s, for example, would be misleading. Its location saves it.

Says longtime Haitian American businessman and lobbyist-activist Rulx “Ringo” Cayard, “The reality is you now have two cities with a combined population of more than 110,000, with Haitian American majorities making the political decisions.”

The cities are striking and conjoined in their similarities and differences. North Miami’s population is 65,000, with North Miami Beach at around 47,000. Both cities were founded in 1926, have major water and sewer utilities with aging lines, median household incomes above $40,000 and poverty rates around 20%. Both have restive waterfront neighborhoods east of US 1 – Eastern Shores in North Miami Beach and Keystone Point and Sans Souci in North Miami.

Giant developments dominate the conversation in both cities. Before the Nov. 3 election, the North Miami Beach Commission in late October cleared the way for Dezer Development’s $1.5 billion Uptown Harbor development at the current Intracoastal Mall across from congested Sunny Isles Beach, with four 40-story towers, 2,000 residences, 200,000 square feet of office, 375,000 square feet of retail and a boutique hotel. Eastern Shores residents say they still lack reasonable ingress and egress. More projects are in the works elsewhere. 

North Miami has pinned its fortunes on the Solé Mia project, a $4-billion partnership of the real estate dynasties of LeFrak in New York and Soffer in Aventura. Major development is expected this decade, which will likely benefit the city. The closing of Johnson & Wales University’s North Miami campus on 25 acres northwest of US 1 and 123rd  Street presents a great opportunity for the next multiuse developer. In addition, possible Brightline transit stops on 123rd and 151st Streets will likely spur development. One other bright spot: an eight-story, 384-unit workforce housing development is on offer north of 125th Street east of downtown.

One key difference separates the cities. Solé Mia’s principals keep out of North Miami politics and run the development as a virtual principality.

In contrast, Dezer Development is very much involved in North Miami Beach politics, largely through the presence of superlobbyist Ron Book, who represents North Miami, North Miami Beach, nearly 20 other cities in Tallahassee and the Dezers before North Miami Beach.

Fleurimond and Joseph both thanked Book and his team profusely at their Nov. 30 swearings-in for their counsel; DeFillipo acknowledged Book’s government affairs director Kelly Mallette from the dais. Book has contributed to both their campaigns and gave $1,000 to support NHAEON.

For those concerned about a potential conflict, Book said this: “I represent the City of North Miami Beach in Tallahassee and nothing in my agreement prohibits me from representing other entities in any of my jurisdictions. I historically have always supported incumbents and continue to support them.”

Over the next two years, both cities face painful choices, but North Miami will face the harder road in the immediate future. More pain is certain, and that will surely inform the May 11 municipal election.

North Miami’s new city manager, Theresa G. Therilus, is earning good marks for her focus on the bottom line and ability to push back and say no to council requests for pet projects. Expect churn in the ranks right below her in the coming year, as she fills the empty chief financial officer position and strengthens her team. North Miami Beach City Manager Esmond Scott has plenty on his hands, as the city is taking back its water utility from Jacobs Engineering.

One can hope that elected officials will let the managers manage, and respect them when they speak truth to power. This is a good time for the nine homeowners’ associations in North Miami, the 13 neighborhoods of North Miami Beach and other citizens’ groups to list and share their concerns.

Solé Mia, for instance, is in one of three Opportunity Zones in North Miami. These incentives give developers huge tax breaks to incentivize long-term investments in low-income neighborhoods. Solé Mia shares its zone with North Miami Beach’s Highland Village, an area with a median household income of $29,000. Dezer Development can lend its name to any number of civic improvement projects in North Miami Beach.

DeFillipo’s comments in late December could set the tone of the decade in both cities.

“All right, residents,” he said. “Get ready. Fasten your seat belts. This is only the beginning.”